Every year more than 7000 babies are born at Laniado Hospital. We believe that every human life is precious! Therefore our experienced and dedicated staff makes every effort to ensure that every baby born at Laniado is given the best possible start in life!

The Neonatal Department was the first unit established at Laniado Hospital, together with the Maternity Department. As the hospital grew, it became essential to expand services for newborns and in 2009, an additional Neonatal Department was opened. The skilled staff of specialists includes neonatologists, neonatal nurses, a social worker, a hearing specialist, a communications therapist , a laboratory technician, and lactation consultants as well as volunteers and national service girls.

What happens after your baby is born ?

Right after your baby is born, he or she will be placed on your chest or abdomen. This skin-to-skin contact not only warms the baby, but also reduces crying, improves mother-infant interaction, and helps mothers to breastfeed successfully. The Apgar test, which evaluates the condition of the newborn, is administered while still in the delivery room (or operating room in the case of a Caesarian). It measures activity and muscle tone, pulse rate, grimace and reflex irritability, appearance and skin color, and respiration. Three plastic identification bracelets that are identical to the bracelet you will be given as well as an additional bracelet bearing the baby’s national identity card number (which is given immediately after birth), are placed on him/her. Your baby will then be moved to the Neonatal Department, where various tests and procedures, some of which are required by law, are performed. You or your husband, wearing an identity bracelet, may be present during the treatment.To ensure your baby’s health, the following procedures will be administered:

Eye drops - Your baby’s eyes will be treated with medicated drops or ointment to protect them from bacterial infections that can be contracted during delivery.

Vitamin K shot - Babies, particularly those who are breastfeeding, tend to have low levels of vitamin K – which is essential for blood clotting - in their first months. The Vitamin K shot protects your baby from developing a rare, serious bleeding problem that can affect newborns.

Hepatitis B shot - Your baby will receive the first hepatitis B vaccine shot, given at the recommendation of the Ministry of Health, to protect your baby against liver disease and liver cancer.

Taking the baby's temperature.

Bath and cleaning the umbilical cord stump

Measuring the newborn's weight, length, and head circumference.

General examination by a neonatologist

Routine procedures performed during the stay in the Neonatology Department:

Visit by neonatologist - On Mondays and Thursday, between 10:00 and 11:00, a neonatologist visits the Department, provides information about the baby’s health, and answers parents’ questions. You may make a personal appointment with the doctor on Mondays or Thursdays between 11:00 to 12:00.

Weighing and bathing babies - Babies are weighed and bathed every morning (except Shabbat) and their weight is recorded on a paper

affixed to the crib. All babies lose up to 10% of their birth weight during their first days.

Testing for jaundice – The morning following the birth, blood tests are given to babies who look yellow to test for jaundice. Jaundice occurs when bilirubin - the by-product of the extra red-blood cells that the baby needs while in the mother’s womb - builds up faster than a newborn's liver can break it down and pass it from the body. The test, which entails taking blood from the baby’s heel, is done by means of a noninvasive device that measures the baby’s bilirubin level. Based on the results, which are received between 10:30 to 11:00, the department doctor will determine a course of treatment or monitoring. The bilirubin level will be written on the discharge letter. You will be advised if the doctor decides to delay the baby’s discharge in order to provide treatment or follow-up.

Metabolic screening - Metabolic screening, performed within 48-72 hours of birth, is a process by which infants are tested for 11 metabolic diseases. A blood sample is collected from the infant's heel on four circles on blotter paper and then sent to the national neonatal screening unit at Tel Hashomer Hospital. If the test results are not normal, you will be contacted through Tipat Halav or the department.

Hearing screening test (OAE) - The OAE Screening Test, a short and painless procedure that does not entail any discomfort to the baby, may be conducted only in a hospital. A tiny microphone is attached to the baby’s ear and a sound is played at low volume. The echo that is created in the inner ear is measured. Results are immediate, and if a problem is detected, a more detailed test (AABR) is conducted and the baby is sent for further examination. The test results are written on the discharge letter.

The nursery is run by a team of skilled nurses, who also provide individual and group instruction in breastfeeding and caring for your baby. You and your husband may visit the nursery every day between 8:00 to 20:00, so that you can get to know your baby and his needs. Rooming-inThe baby can recognize his mother through her smell and heartbeat, which calm him and gave him a sense of security. Being with her is particularly important to develop bonding - the initial contact between mother and baby - and for successful breastfeeding.Numerous studies have shown that babies who stay with their mother during the first days after birth cry less and are less vulnerable to infection. Breastfeeding is more successful because it is based on attentiveness to the baby's needs and not predetermined times. Laniado Hospital encourages rooming-in, either complete or partial, as you choose.Complete rooming-in enables your baby to be with you 24 hours a day, allowing you to familiarize yourself with the baby's needs and learn how to respond to them. Partial rooming-in makes it possible for your baby to be with you during the day, while remaining in the nursery overnight, allowing you to have a relaxed and restful night. Discharge from the hospital You will be discharged from the hospital on the third day after a standard birth and five days after a Caesarean birth, or earlier – if you wish, contingent upon approval by your doctor. Your baby will be discharged together with you, except for premature infants who remain hospitalized for further treatment.

Prior to your discharge, you must go with your ID card and bank account details to the office adjacent to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Emergency Room (if your husband is not listed in your identity card, you must bring his identity card as well). Your maternity grant will be automatically transferred to your bank account. You will be given a form to present to the nurse when the baby is discharged.Reception hours are: Sunday: 8:00 to 12:45, Monday - Thursday: 10:00 to 12:45, Fridays: 8:00 to 11:00.

You must then go to take your baby, who will remain with you until your are discharged. Discharge is done individually, and you will receive detailed instruction on how to care for your baby.In Maternity A, the babies are discharged takes place in the Lecture Room.In Maternity B, the babies are discharged in your room. Discharged takes place between 11:30 and 13:00 (11:00 on Fridays).

Some babies are discharged with a recommendation to repeat the bilirubin testing the next day. The test can be performed at Kupat Holim or at Laniado’s laboratory. The examination requires payment of a fee or bringing Form 17 from Kupat Holim. Results are checked by the department doctor who will determine whether continued treatment or monitoring is necessary.

Make sure that you have appropriate clothes suitable for the weather to bring your baby home in: undershirt (two in the winter), pants, bodysuit, hat and a blanket suitable for the season. The Ministry of Health requires that an infant car seat be installed in the car.

You make an appointment at Tipat Halav Well-Baby Clinic for follow-up care.

New mothers have the assurance of knowing that their new baby is in the hands of the most experienced staff of specialists.

State-of-the-art medical equipment, sophisticated electronic monitoring devices, and life support systems, together with an extensive range of diagnostic, monitoring, and therapeutic capabilities, ensure the best possible treatment for newborn infants.